UEFA Reviewing FC Porto’s Champions League Ban

UEFA have annulled an earlier decision to exclude Porto from next season’s Champions League. Porto were initially expelled from Champions League play over alleged bribery of referees in the 2003-04 season. UEFA’s appeals body decided to send the issue back for consideration to their Control and Disciplinary Body, effectively annulling the June 4 decision to exclude Porto from the Champions League.

According to a UEFA press release, the Appeals body listened to representatives of FC Porto, the Portuguese Football Federation, SL Benfica and Vitória SC, as well as UEFA. The Control and Disciplinary Body will now meet next week to take a decision on Porto’s admission to the 2008/09 UEFA Champions League. The date of the meeting has not been announced.